Friday, 10/29/2010. Moscow. The screams of Dusty and the finale of Frank's drums thunder one last time as "Tush" draws to a close. The 2010 World Tour, by every interpretation and definition, will go down as one of the group's most extensive and expansive tours ever. Featuring two long stints in America intermixed with two jaunts to Europe, including the first ever shows in Russia, the trip was a long and, I've got to assume, somewhat exhausting one.
Time for some rest.
Sometime in December, 2010. Mr Rubin places a call. "Billy" Rick says. "Yeah" Billy replies. "Let's lay 'em on down". "Sounds good, when?" questions the Reverend. "After Christmas, second week of January". "You got it" is the upbeat, and this time, determined answer.
January, 2011. Los Angeles. Billy enters the studio w/ Rubin, laying out rough ideas comprised over the past seven years. Ideas for a theme and record title are debated and discussed.
February, 2011. Houston. Billy heads back to his hometown and meets up with his bandmates. Dusty and Frank lay down rough takes on bass and drums and throw their creative feedback into the mix.
March, 2011. Los Angeles. Billy calls on Hardy and Moon to apply polish, structure, timing, and sequence to the tracks. Out of 25 possible tunes Billy narrows it down to 15. ZZ also plays the Houston Rodeo to a full house, but no new tracks are debuted. "Just Got Back From Baby's", "Rattlesnake Shake", "Breakaway" and Williams' "All My Ex's Live In Texas" are rarities of note.
April, 2011. Converted warehouse in Central Texas. ZZ Top, with Rubin at the control deck, records live the 15 songs which will comprise the groups next effort, to be released late Summer 2011.
May, 2011. Los Angeles. Final mixing under the care of Rubin and Gibbons. Album, as yet untitled, is announced to the public.
June, 2011. Los Angeles. Final mastering.
August 30, 2011. ZZ Top's 15th album is released to positive critical and public reception.
Late September, 2011. Beginning of 30 date tour in America, ends mid October in Houston, TX.
Late October, 2011. Beginning of 20 date tour in Europe, finishing at Wembley, London.
December, 2011. Announces World Tour beginning April, 2012.
Hey, it could happen. You never know.
This is just excellent! That's what dreams are made of. But some dreams are too good to materialise...
ReplyDeleteNo! Actually I think this will materialize sooner! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSupposedly, the track have been laid down for quite some time now...
yeah, been hearing that for what, 2 years now?
ReplyDeleteStill bet it is 2011 - why not August as predicted :-) - although, yeah... probably November/December
ReplyDelete